Can telehealth help with chronic pain & body ache?

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment.

Overview

Living with chronic pain can be stressful and exhausting. Whether it’s a persistent pain in your back, ongoing joint pain, or general body discomfort that doesn’t seem to ease, chronic pain can turn simple everyday activities into a struggle. For many Australians, the added effort of travelling to a regular clinic only makes things harder. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Australians¹. Telehealth has become a normal part of healthcare in Australia. Since the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items were made permanent in 2022², more Australians are using them to manage long-term conditions, including chronic pain, from home. But can telehealth truly help, and what are its limits? Let’s take a closer look.

What causes chronic pain and body aches?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than 3 to 6 months or continues longer than expected after an injury or illness. It can be complex; sometimes, the cause is clear, and sometimes it is hard to identify. Common causes include:

• Old injuries

• Chronic headaches or migraines

• Arthritis and joint problems

• Nerve-related pain

• Muscle strain

• Ongoing inflammation from autoimmune conditions

• Post-surgical pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Endometriosis

Back pain and related conditions rank among the biggest causes of disease burden in Australia³. People living with chronic pain are also more likely to experience other long-term health conditions, such as arthritis, mental health issues, and osteoporosis.

Can telehealth help diagnose chronic pain?

Telehealth can play an important role in assessing chronic pain, but it does have some limitations. A telehealth appointment allows your doctor to discuss your symptoms, review your medical history and test results, and understand what may be contributing to your pain. However, there are limits to what telehealth can assess. Some assessments require a physical examination, including checking for tenderness or swelling, testing mobility, and assessing reflexes, which cannot be done remotely. Telehealth often works suitable as a tool for ongoing care and follow-up. Once a diagnosis is established, it can be used to track your progress, review investigations, adjust your management plan, and coordinate care with allied health providers. For many people with chronic pain, these regular check-ins can be an important part of long-term management.

Common symptoms of chronic pain

Chronic pain is often more than just physical pain. Alongside the pain itself, many people experience other symptoms that may impact overall health, such as:

• Fatigue

• Reduced ability to move

• Stiffness

• Persistent aching or burning

• Poor sleep

• Joint discomfort

• Low mood, anxiety, or depression

• Difficulty concentrating

According to Healthdirect Australia⁴, chronic pain can significantly affect a person’s mood, sleep, and mental health, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to management. When telehealth is suitable for chronic pain Telehealth may be appropriate for:

• Follow-up consultations

• Medication reviews

• Referrals to allied health

• Mental health support

• Flare-up advice for known conditions

• Rural and remote access

 

When you should see a doctor in person

In-person care may be recommended for if you have:

• Sudden severe pain

• Weakness or numbness

• Unexplained weight loss

• Difficulty walking

• Fever with pain

• A new injury

• Symptoms needing physical examination

Note: If you experience severe, worsening, or life-threatening symptoms, call 000 immediately or attend your nearest Emergency Department (ED). Examples include: chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions, loss of consciousness, or significant injuries.  

Telehealth vs in-person care for pain management

Telehealth is not a replacement for in-person care, nor is it an additional option. It provides a practical and accessible way to access certain types of healthcare when appropriate.  

Telehealth is good for	In-person is better for
Ongoing check-in and follow-ups	Initial assessment of unexplained pain
Reviewing management plans and medications	Physical examination and hands-on assessment
Referrals and care coordination	Investigations (blood tests, advanced imaging)
Mental health support and psychology referrals	New or severe symptoms with no known cause
Prescription renewals (where clinically appropriate)	Pain not improving with current management
Accessible care for regional/remote Australians	Post-injury or post-surgical review

How telehealth consultations for pain work

If you book a telehealth consultation for chronic pain, here’s what you can generally expect:

• Discussing your symptoms and medical history

• Reviewing your current medications

• Assessing how pain affects your daily life

• Discussing managementoptions

• Deciding whether an in-person assessment is needed

Note: Prescriptions, referrals, and other clinical decisions are always subject to the medical practitioner’s assessment and clinical discretion. There are never guaranteed outcomes of a telehealth consultation.

Managementoptions available via telehealth

Depending on your situation, a medical practitioner may discuss:

• Prescription medication (if clinically appropriate)

• Referrals to physiotherapy (if clinically appropriate)

• Mental health support

• Lifestyle and self-management advice

• Exercise guidance

• Medical certificates (if medically justified)

  This information is for educational purposes only. You should consult a medical practitioner before attempting new wellness programs or lifestyle changes to ensure they are safe for your specific condition.

Benefits of telehealth for chronic pain patients

Many people find telehealth helpful because it:

• Reduces the travel burden

• Makes follow-up easier

• Supports regular monitoring

• Promises consistency of care

• Has regional access

• Coordinates care

According to ABS data⁵, over 25% of Australians have had at least one telehealth consultation in the past 12 months, and of those, 89.2% said they would use it again if offered.

Limitations of telehealth for pain assessment

Telehealth has its own limitations, including:

• No physical examination

• Not suitable for emergencies

• Limited ability to assess movement or tenderness

• Some cases may require an in-person assessment before starting the management

• Advanced imaging is not possible

Tips for managing chronic pain through telehealth

To get the most from your telehealth consultation, try these practical steps:

• Keep a pain diary

• Have your records ready

• Prepare questions beforehand

• Be specific in describing your pain

• Ask about a care plan

• List your medications

• Be honest about how pain affects your daily life

How can Hola Health help with chronic pain and body aches

Hola Health is an Australian telehealth platform that connects patients with registered doctors or medical practitioner for online consultations via phone or video. Here’s how Hola Health can help:

• Online doctor consultations

• Prescription medication (if clinically appropriate)

• Symptom assessment

• Chronic condition management

• Medical certificates (when clinically appropriate)

• Referrals (subject to clinical assessment)

• After-hours access

Important: Hola Health is a consultation-and-management platform. Clinical outcomes depend entirely on the patient’s situation and the medical practitioner’s assessment. Hola Health does not guarantee any particular managementoutcome, prescription, or referral. Note: Hola Health offers telehealth consults across Australia. Bulk billing is available for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card for after-hours urgent care and script refill consultations (if clinically appropriate) during designated periods only: 11pm to 6:45am, 7 days a week. Private fees apply for all other consultations and service types. After-hours telehealth is designed for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions when your regular GP or clinic is closed. It is not a substitute for emergency care.

Conclusion

Chronic pain affects millions of Australians and can affect daily life, work, and mental health. Telehealth makes ongoing pain management more accessible, helping patients with follow-up care, medication reviews, managementplanning, and mental health support. However, it is most effective when used alongside in-person care, as some conditions may still require in-person assessment.

FAQs

Can telehealth help with chronic pain?

Yes. Telehealth can support assessment, managementplanning, and ongoing management of chronic pain, especially for follow-up care.

What types of pain can be managed online?

Many ongoing issues, such as back pain, joint pain, muscle aches, migraines, and some nerve pain, may be discussed via telehealth.

Can I get pain medication through telehealth?

A doctor may discuss or prescribe medication (if clinically appropriate), but prescriptions are not guaranteed and depend on clinical assessment.

When should I see a doctor in person for pain?

You should seek in-person care if your pain is new, severe, worsening, or needs physical examination.

Is telehealth effective for long-term pain management?

It can work well as a part of a wider care strategy, especially for regular check-ins and ongoing support.